Marines are awesome!
This is a true story that needs to be told. It tells how a group of U.S. Marines touched many lives by making a 10 year old boy, Spencer Cree McKinney, one of their own. Semper Fi!
The Marines want no credit but people need to know that Marines are about commitment to God, Country and their hearts. It was and is being done for the love of a child.
Spencer McKinney began his battle with life when he was 8 days old. He was airlifted by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, WA from Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur d’Alene, ID near his Idaho home. His parents, Christopher and Tiffiani McKinney were not allowed to fly with him, in fact were told he would probably not make the flight alive. That trip for his parents was almost beyond bearing but bear it they did.
When the couple arrived at Sacred Heart Hospital with Spencer’s older sister, Chantal, Spencer was alive and being prepped for transfusions. His billyruben count was off the charts. Spencer was born December 8th so it was very close to Christmas. All Chantal, in tears, asked Santa for Christmas was that her brother could come home for Christmas. The family spent time in tears and prayer.
Spencer did live and come home before Christmas – Miracle number 1 - God is so good. The news was not all joyful, however. His parents were told that Spencer was blind, deaf, physically and mentally retarded and he would go into convulsions without warning. The first year was agony. At 11 months he just laid there hardly moving. His parents felt all of the medications contributed to the lethargy. Every morning and after each nap his mother feared she would find him dead. His parents, after many doctor visits and much prayer decided to wean him slowly off of his medications….. within a month he could hold his own bottle. Progress was slow – but progress began.
His parents taught him sign language. He could see! The doctors were wrong! He fought to learn to walk between 2 years and 3 years of age. His gait may not be the same as everyone else but he moves quickly. He received hearing aids. His mom home schools the family and Spencer is bright. He can read and is a whiz at math. Miracle number 2.
His parents read to him and talked about him being a soldier for Jesus. Somehow Spencer decided that what he wanted more than anything was to become a Marine. It became his goal when he was 4 years old and he has never strayed from that dream.
Spencer became the boy who would not give up! To learn to ride a bike was horrendous. First he couldn’t control his feet on the pedals – his movements were involuntary so he crashed and crashed and crashed again until he could ride a bike. Balance was a problem too. A bystander watching Spencer keep at it said if it were her she would just give up. “Give up” is not in Spencer’s vocabulary.
Spencer’s grandmother worked with a Marine, Sam Ewing, CWO4 (retired). When told about Spencer’s dream, Sam sent Spencer a variety of bumper stickers, magazines and Marine paraphernalia over several years. When Spencer visited his grandmother at work, Sam always made time to talk with Spencer about the Marines. Bill Snow, Cpl E-4 (retired), a friend of Spencer’s grandfather also made sure Spencer had Marine catalogs and magazines. When these arrived Spencer would bounce through the roof that a real life Marines would share Marine stuff with him. It made his dream of being a Marine even stronger.
Then came the Marine event that changed Spencer’s life. Spencer’s grandfather took Spencer to a gun show in Coeur d’Alene, ID. The Marines of the Bitterroot Chapter, 1st Marine Division Association from Montana had a booth set up. They were raffling off various guns used by Marines @ $25 ticket. Spencer walked up to them, stood as tall as he could and saluted. The Marine at the booth, Jim Henderson (retired), said “Semper Fi young man” and Spencer (who was beaming with joy) and his grandfather went on their way. BUT – Spencer’s grandfather went back and shared Spencer’s dream of becoming a Marine. He asked Jim if there was any way that maybe Spencer could become an honorary Marine. Jim said “We can do that and we’ll be in touch”. The grandfather thought that was nice but didn’t expect too much from a stranger for a little boy. However, while they were still at the show, Mr. Henderson searched them out to tell them that someone had anonymously purchased a raffle ticket for Spencer. The excitement was unreal.
About a month later, Jim Henderson called Chantal, Spencer’s sister who was also at the gun show, to ask her if the family was attending the next gun show. They were not able to make the trip so Mr. Henderson said he would come to their house “to Induct Spencer as an Honorary Marine!” Miracle number 3.
Spencer was “high and tight” scrubbed and dressed in his favorite cammo. His grandparents and family were there. As he drove up, Spencer sped out to meet him. Mr. Henderson led the Ceremony and presented Spencer a plaque making him a Lance Corporal and various Marine items which had been donated by other Marines in the Bitterroot Chapter. Among the items donated were: a drill sergeant’s hat with a flat brim from WWII, a Marine ring from Iwo Gima, Lance Corporal Stripes, a belt & buckle, a Marine Corps backpack, a pocket knife, camouflage, a brick of .22 ammo and so much more. There was a cake as well, with the Eagle Globe and Anchor insignia that said “Welcome to the Marines Spencer”. The family was awestruck that a group of Marines would give such meaningful mementos to a young boy that many of them had not even met. Spencer was and still is beyond excited. What an honor for him and what a fulfillment of a dream. At the end of the Ceremony, Mr. Henderson saluted Spencer and Spencer stood tall and saluted him – there were tears in all eyes, but most touching were those slipping down the face of that rugged Marine. Jim Henderson’s tears intensified when Spencer hugged him and said “Thank You, Sir”.
As exciting as becoming an honorary Marine is, it was only the beginning of the unselfish acts from the Marines of the Bitterroot Chapter. The group kept in touch with Spencer and 6 months after their first meeting, Mr. Henderson met Spencer’s dad in Spokane and gave him a BB gun that someone had donated to Spencer. Next….a life-changing event! About two months ago, a Marine (Mr. Henderson’s nephew, Braedon Murphy), newly returned from Iraq, heard about Spencer, found his house in the boondocks of Idaho and stopped by. No one knew he was coming – Miracle number 4 – the family was home! Braedon was working with a group of Christian chiropractors in Missoula, MT and the chiropractors thought they could help Spencer.
Spencer’s parents were open to making an appointment and getting there but without much hope that anything could change.
Since Spencer’s birth, the family has grown to a total of 4 children. When an appointment had been made the Marines of the Bitterroot Chapter raised money to help the family to make the trip! Amazing…..
The appointment: x-rays were taken of Spencer. The x-rays showed a badly protruding vertebrae in his spine which usually is fatal in babies and some scoliosis. An exam revealed one leg obviously shorter than the other. They asked Spencer to walk on his tip toes – he could not lift his feet from the floor standing on his toes. He was asked to walk across the room on his heels – he could not do it.
The chiropractor said he thought he could help. He manipulated Spencer’s spine and x-rays were re-taken. Miracle number 5 – The vertebrae was in place, his legs were the same length, he could walk on this tip toes and his heels!!!!
His parents were beyond speech. But there was more to come – on the return home it was noticed that Spencer could sit still which was something that he had never been able to accomplish due to involuntary movement. And then! When he was home he carried a glass of water across the room without spilling a drop – a first in his life!
It will take more visits to continue the treatments. Missoula, MT is quite a distance to travel BUT Miracle number 6 – one member of the Chiropractic group is starting a practice in Post Falls, ID 45 minutes from Spencer’s house.
Marines do not take responsibility lightly. It seems that even a 10 year old Honorary Marine fits their credo – “no man left behind”. Words cannot describe the caring, integrity, compassion and investment made by these Marines into the life a 10 year old boy, his family and friends.
Believe in miracles because against all odds, through the help of God and the Marines, Spencer just may become an active duty Marine!
Update: The Marines of the Bitterroot Chapter invited Spencer and his family, including grandparents to a Marine Ball celebrating the Marines birthday in Victor, MT the 10th of November 2006. Spencer’s grandparents found a Marine dress jacket for him for the occasion. Jim and Millie Henderson invited the family to their home in Hamilton, MT before the celebration. Jim Henderson presented Spencer with a dress belt and white gloves as well as other marine items. Spencer looked very spiffy. Amazingly (or miraculously), a Marine owned a motel in Hamilton, MT and provided a room for the family.
It turned out that the Bitterroot Chapter was meeting, not only to celebrate the Marine’s Birthday but to honor certain Marines. There was a cake cutting ceremony – the oldest Marine (86-yr old male) made the 1st cut in the cake and the youngest Marine (18-yr old female) made the 2nd cut and together they presented the cake to the honorary Marine, Spencer McKinney. Lance Corporal McKinney drew tickets for the fund raiser held. He stood with the Marines during the bagpipe ceremony. The greatest honor was yet to come.
Jim Henderson told all the Marines gathered about his first meeting with Spencer. He said he noticed he had his hands in his pockets at the gun show. A Marine doesn’t put his hands in his pocket. He saluted Spencer and when Spencer saluted back, Jim said he was sorry he had him take his hands from his pocket because they shook so bad (they don’t anymore, thanks to Marines & God) Jim then asked Spencer’s grandfather to read the account above with Spencer at his side.
When Spencer’s grandfather was reading, there was not a sound to be heard among 200 people. At the end, there was a unified sound of 200 chairs being pushed back. Marines and wives were on their feet. In a single motion – fists shot in the air – and the loudest HOO RAH ever was shouted in support of Lance Corporal Spencer McKinney of the Bitterroot Chapter, 1st Marine Division Association.
And then – Marines one at a time went to Spencer and saluted him and he did the same to them. The last Marine in line was the only other Marine in dress blues. Spencer and he looked alike. The Marine was about 20 yrs old with a purple heart from Iraq pinned on his uniform. After saluting, he leaned over and talked Marine to Marine. Yes – Marines and God change lives!
Note: The Bitterroot Marines are now raising funds to find and touch the lives of children as they have Spencer. One Marine, who is in touch with Spencer, told Tiffani McKinney that he keeps Spencer’s picture (one taken at the Marine Ball) on his desk because every time he looks at Spencer he has to smile in response to Spencer’s ear to ear grin.
Spencer is going farther and farther between trips to the chiropractor. He is staying in line for longer and longer periods of time. He can still sit still, his hands don’t shake and he can still carry a full glass of water across the room.
The miracles continue……..
I hope this is the right place for this story. This is my grandson and I am very proud to be his grandfather. I want to thank God first and all the Marines that have made this possible.
God bless you all.
Smoky
ARMY
2Thanks
God, the Marines and the 10 Year Old Miracle Boy 
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